It’s recommended that as human beings, we aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night. Some people can manage with only 4 hours, others may need just a bit over 10. It’s always difficult to get the balance right on normal days. However, for those affected by cancer, it seems particularly difficult to try and get some sleep after having a surgery.
There is no right or wrong way on how to get your sleep after surgery. Everyone has their own unique way of finding a comfortable way to the land of nod. If you feel you’re struggling and need some tips, The Community and its members are there for you.
If your sleep has become problematic as a result of surgery, please feel free to use some of these examples to try and put your mind at ease. You should always contact your GP or medical team first if your sleep becomes worse as it could be an underlying condition.
If you or a loved one have had some difficulty sleeping after thyroid surgery, you’re not alone. There are a lot of members who post on the Online Community the difficulty they have sleeping following the procedure. So, let’s take a look at some of the difficult experiences that members have had, trying to reach the land of nod across the Community.
Surgeries like thyroidectomies, can cause some discomfort whilst sleeping. Sleep is a vital part of the recovery process and if it’s affected, it may affect your recovery speed. A member shares their experience on how they felt:
Often on the Community, members often share their experiences and tips from their own experiences in the hope to offer support to others:
It can be difficult to relate to some family and friends who may not have been through the surgery and how it affects your sleep. Rest assured, you are more than welcome to engage with the members on the Community who may understand what you are going through.
Here is a helpful video on how to try and sleep after getting a thyroidectomy, one of the procedures that can affect sleep.
Tips are shared by other members on the Community and what they found useful. Below, a member tries out a V-shaped pillow. It’s always a great feeling when trying out a tip or recommendation and it works for you:
There’s always the option of reaching out on the Community:
You usually don’t have to go far to find support on the Community. A member reached out and shared their experience:
Support and resources:
If you wish to speak to our Cancer Information Nurses, always remember you can contact the Macmillan Support Line every day from 8am until 8pm on 0808 808 00 00 or our webchat. They may be able to provide you with some helpful guidance when it comes to sleep. Please note, Macmillan does not have access to medical records.
Please feel free to take a look at some of the resources that are available when it comes to sleep and surgeries:
We hope that some of these tips can help you sleep after getting surgery. It’s always important to seek medical advice if you feel your sleep has become worse since surgery.
Please feel free to take a look around the Community and see how other members have approached their sleep after surgery, so it may help mould your own technique and hopefully get a restful night’s sleep.
